Map Lab

Switch the layers of a fictional orienteering map on and off. What does each colour tell you about the terrain? Then test yourself with a short quiz.

Fictional map

Layers

Yellow — open landMeadow, field edge. Dark yellow is fully open, light yellow has scattered trees. Good visibility, fast running.Green — vegetationThree shades: light green slow running, medium green walking, dark green nearly impassable.Brown — landformsContours (5 m). Close lines mean steep; the thick line is every fifth contour.Blue — waterLakes, streams, marsh. Streams make good handrails and catching features.Black — roads and pathsThick double line road, dashed line path. The fastest ground.Black — buildings and rocksBuildings (solid), boulders (dots). Common control features.Blue lines — northMagnetic north lines. Line them up with the compass to orient the map.

Map Lab

Symbol quiz